The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-09-17
LIKE p. BLACKBURN,
sketch or the Believed Physfcfas,
the Generous Man. and
Trae Friend.
Courier-J Journal.

u iwafd M. Blackburn, was educated
as a lawyer, but soon abandoned the
law and became one Of the most con.
siderable farmers and stock raisers in
the State. His thoroughbred horses
aud their de gendants have long been
celebrated in America. The subject
Of this sketch graduated In Medicine
In Transylvania University, and COM
menc ed the practice Of his proiets on
at Lex ngton, KY, and there married
Miss Ella G aest Boswell, the daughter
Of Joseph Boswell, Of that place.
When the cholera broke out In 1885 at
Versailles, KY, and some Of the
resident physicians were dead
and others had fed from the town, he
alone for days answered the call made
upon Lexington for medical aid. His
efforts were 30 successful and bis work
30 self sacrificing that. when the
scourge had passed away, he was
warmly pressed by the people Of Yer.
sailles TO locate among them. This
dangerous service rendered the citi.
z3ns OF V ertailes was without pecuni.
airy compensation, and brought him
deserved distinction In the very hs.
glazing Il his professional career. Hs
removed to Versailles, and soon es.
tablshed an extensive and lucrative
practice. His circumstances became
go favorable that he also went into the
manufacture OF bsgging and rope. but
the fnaucial depression 4 1880 stopped
his operations and greatly involve ]
him. la 1Si3 he was e'ec.ed to the
Legislature, defeating HE opponent
by largo msjorlry.
In 1915 hs removed 10 Mattel o..
Miss, and, although without moane,
room acquired very large and val.
liable practice, and game | consider.
able distinction overa great part Of tbs
| South.
In 1913, when yellow feye appeared
| at New Orleans, he WEI health officer
at NAtchtz, and the city authorities di.
rec G him 10 establish a quarantine,
which he did efiactuslly. and became
90 interested In the suffsrings o. the
marines, for whom the general gov
ernment did not provide, as we'll ps
hundreds OF others, that he built q
hospital at bis own expente, In which
he again established a reputation for
personal dsrioe, professional skill and
genuine philanthropy.
CIV. Albert Y Brown, member OF
Congress from NJ ssissippi, presented
the card OF d.. b ackburn In Congress
and stated that the necesbitiej OF {
marine hospital at Natchtz were &C
great that ono oil his constituents a,
his own expenee and risk had TAX. y
charge Of large numbers OF the suff r.
ers. A bill was at once passed pro.
vidlng for the erection OF the Natchtl
hospital, and finally resulting In the
establishment OF ten other similar In.
situations over the country. This re-
suit, OF course, wal largely dus to DIR,
Blsckburn's individual risks and the
value the government attached 10
them. He was appointed surgeon 10
the new hospital aud for many years
held that position. both In the State
and marine hospital.
He early advanced the theo ~ Of
exemption from Asiatic cholera by the
use Of pure sslt water, and had Ions
been q believer 10 the transmissabi ]
and injection Of yellow fever; and IL
1854 projected Natchex from that dis
eass BY q rigid quarantine, when II
prevailed in the surrounding cou ntry
The Legislature Of NJ ssi, sippi Commits
stoned MIN TO yisit the Legislature o
Lpuisiaps, and urge that body TO 90
tablish a quarantine below New o.
leans. He presented his cause ably
before both branches OF the Louisians
Legislature, and was au. hor z ID 10 ca
tAbllsh below Nes Orleans the pres
ept quarantine =, stem
In 1855 his wife died, and In 1851
he vitited the principal hospitals Of
England, Scotland, France aud G n
many. In Paris he met Miss Julia NJ
Churchill, OF Kentucky, TO whom b,
was married In November Of that yea
on their return 10 America. He thef
located In Nav Orleans, and resumed
practice with his usual exceptions
success and popularity.
When the war broke out he had far
in advance espoused the Gauss OF tn,
South, and was the political FRIEND
and physician Of Gen. ]. A. @ iitman
aud, Ia fact, Que Of the or ginal 10 ,es
siouists. He va. at once attached Il
the personal STAFF Of Gen. sterlin,
Price, and the Legislature OF Miseis
sippi nut 5000 into bis hands b b,
applied 10 the benefit OF tbs sui rim,
soldiers of that State wherever h,
might hnd them Gov Pettus nov
commissioned him TO 20 10 tue bordel
to superintend the furnishing Of sup
plies by the blockade runners. III,
Joined bis family In Canada for tn,
parpose Of carrying out bis commits
sion.
In 1894, by the request OF the Gov
ernor General Of Canada, he repaireC
10 the Bermuda Islands TO lcok ate
the suffering citizens and soldiers, aut
on his way was yey nat,eringly 70
csived by the Governor General o
New Brunswick aud Nova Scotia, alst
by Admiral Sir Howe, OF the Britisi
tquadron, and bis services ware sfter
xsrd iayorably recognised by th,
Queens Court Of Admiralty.
| In 1885, the yellow fever epreas
among many families In the vicinit,
Of Fort Washington, on 10 q Island
from an Injected ship, and DR.. Black
burn, then being on q Wait 10 Nep
York, was invited by the mayor 4
give bis aid 10 the all cted district
which he did, reirsing all proie ires
compensation Tor his services.
In 1867 he went TO Arkantas, wher,
his vile oErel cotton plantation
and engaged In cotton planting. Ii
1873 he returned 10 kentucky.
Wnen the yellow fever last vlsiie,
Memphis he volunteered his aid, and
rendered great service 30 the sufierin,
OF tha, city. This has been one OF Oh,
great pleAsures OF his life 20 aid lhos,
In ext, me dangers, never havin,
failed 10 respond 10 the call OF the sici
and dltesssd, and has actually com
batled more epidemics Of cholera anS
yellos lever than any other Twin,
physician, aud probably no bette
authority on thoee fatal diseases wal
ever known In the medical prof ssion
His lsst great and unsel6sh seryic,
10 his fellow men az a physician wa
duriuR the late vgllou favef enidanic